November 2005

RHO CHI SOCIETY News and Updates

Volume 2005-2006 Number 1
November 2005

The Rho Chi Society News and Updates is an electronic service of the Society’s National Office. News and Updates is electronically disseminated to Faculty Advisors, Chapter Officers, and Deans in September and in January. The Society’s National Office can be contacted via email at RhoChi@unc.edu or by phone at (919) 843-9001.

Gary P. Stoehr, President of the Society, has presided at the installation of three new chapters: Gamma Sigma, Western University of Health Sciences, Pamona, CA became the 83rd active chapter on May 9. Gamma Tau, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Eric, PA became the 84th active chapter on June 9, followed by our 85 th chapter at South University, Savannah, GA, Gamma Upsilon on September 9. The petition from Wingate University, Wingate, NC was approved and their chapter, Gamma Phi will be installed on November 3 as the 86 th active chapter. This will add one chapter to Region VIII, two chapters to Region III and one chapter to Region II.

It has been forty four years since 4 new chapters were installed in the same calendar year. Other years installing four chapters were 1922, 1925, 1931, 1949 and 1961. The other growth years were 1951 with five installations and 1954 with six; however the record year as 1955 with eight new chapters.

NOMINATIONS FOR NATIONAL OFFICES

The Society’s Nominating Committee, chaired by Past-President Daniel C. Robinson is developing recommendations for the offices of President-Elect and Regional Councilors for Regions II, IV, VI and VIII. Those members of the Society who wish to nominate an individual or individuals for these offices should submit a letter of recommendation accompanied by a letter from the individual recommended agreeing to serve and a brief biographical sketch. Recommendations must be received in the National Office on or before November 15, 2005.

2006 ANNUAL MEETING

Begin planning now for the 2006 Annual Meeting. The meeting will be held in conjunction with APhA’s Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Francisco, California, March 17-21, 2006. Delegates and Alternates from each chapter should be present at the Annual Meeting. As details are finalized updates will be sent via the Officers and Advisors listservs and posted to the Society’s Website.

DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES TO ANNUAL MEETING

Every chapter should be represented at the Annual Meeting. In accordance with National Bylaws, chapters not in attendance for three consecutive years are placed on probation and are not eligible to elect and induct new members. A record of chapter attendance for each of the past three years is posted on the Society’s Website for review (Click on “Meetings” to check past attendance.). Please make sure that your chapter is represented during the Annual Meeting.

An on-line form is available to register chapter delegates. Follow the links from Chapters to Chapter Reports. Names of the chapter delegates, alternates and presidents will be added to Px-Officers, an electronic listserv, as they are submitted. Communications from the National Office regarding Society business and National Meeting updates will be communicated via the listserv.

Deadline for submission of delegates, alternates and other information from your chapter regarding the National Meeting is March 1, 2006.

2006 RHO CHI SOCIETY LUNCHEON AND LECTURE AWARD PRESENTATION

The Rho Chi Society Luncheon and Lecture Award Presentation will be held in conjunction with the APhA’s Annual Meeting. As plans are finalized, updates will be sent to advisors and Chapter Presidents via the Listservs and posted on the website. Dr. Milap C. Nahata, The Ohio State University, been selected as the 2006 Rho Chi Lecture Awardee.

Tickets for the luncheon should be purchased in advance. Faculty members are encouraged to purchase their tickets through APhA as part of their registration. Student tickets for the Luncheon should be purchased through the National Office via the form on the Meetings > Upcoming Meetings page of the Society’s Website. A limited number of tickets will be available on-site at the APhA Registration Desk and at the Rho Chi Luncheon. Guests are welcome and you are encouraged to invite them. Tickets for the luncheon are $50.00 each, however, the cost for students is $25.00 each as the balance is subsidized by the Society. To further minimize expenses for delegates attending the Luncheon, chapters should explore options for assisting delegates and alternates to cover their luncheon expense. This is a wonderful opportunity for delegates to meet and exchange information with other chapter delegates. As final arrangements are made regarding the 2006 Luncheon and Awards Program, details will be posted to the website and disseminated through the listserv.

2005-2006 CHAPTER AWARDS

Chapters are encouraged to participate in the Society’s Chapter Awards Program. Not only can chapters gain financial support for their efforts, but participation by all chapter members can be unifying and exciting accomplishment. Certainly, we all benefit by hearing of the creative and innovative project proposals that are submitted. If your chapter cannot meet the February 1 deadline, aim for June 1. Do not miss a wonderful opportunity for recognition for your chapter and its endeavors. Details about the program can be found on the Website under Chapter Awards.

2005 Chapter Project Proposal Award was presented to:

Beta Epsilon Chapter, The University of Utah

2005 Chapter Achievement Award was presented to:

Alpha Omicron, The The University of Pittsburgh

Complete information regarding Chapter Awards is available via www.rhochi.org. Deadline for submission of entries is February 1 and June 1, 2006. The Society’s President-Elect, Gary E. DeLander, of Oregon State University, chairs the Chapter Awards Program.

By virtue of their chapters’ recognition, Katie Francis, The University of Pittsburgh was invited to serve as Student Representatives on the Rho Chi Society’s Executive Council.

FACULTY ADVISOR AWARD

The Society is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2004-2005 National Faculty Advisor Award:

Dr. Thomas L. Lemke, The University of Houston

The Rho Chi Society National Faculty Advisor Award annually recognizes an outstanding faculty advisor. The award is also intended tostimulate chapter activity, diligence and punctuality. Individuals nominated for the Award must be current chapter advisors. Rho Chi Chapter Presidents, Regional Councilors, Rho Chi National Officers and Deans may submit nominations. The recipient will be recognized at the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Rho Chi Advisor’s Meeting held in July. Criteria for selection include but are not limited to:

A record of at least two years of helping to build leadership in Chapter offices

Stimulating members to develop unique Chapter programs

Perseverance in building a strong chapter

Punctuality in submitting reports and materials to the National Office

Deadline for submission of nominations is May 15, 2006. Past recipients and further details can be found on the Rho Chi website.

RHO CHI – SCHERING-PLOUGH – AFPE FIRST YEAR GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

Joshua J. Neumiller was selected as the recipient of the Rho Chi – Schering Plough – AFPE First Year Graduate Scholarship. Joshua is enrolled at Washington State University in the Immunopharmacology/Toxicology Program.

Are you or a member of your chapter considering graduate school after graduation? A unique scholarship is available for Rho Chi members only through the Rho Chi/Schering Plough-AFPE First Year Graduate Scholarship. Information regarding the application process and deadlines is available on the Rho Chi Websi

RHO CHI – ELI LILLY AND COMPANY CLINICAL RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP

Lee Ming Boo, Pharm.D., University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy, is the recipient of the 2005 Clinical Research Scholarship. Dr. Boo is completing a Clinical Research Fellowship combining both basic and clinical science in the field of breast cancer research with Dr. Dr. Ann and co-advised by Dr. Yun Yen.on, Pharm.D.

Established in 2003 through an award from Eli Lilly and Company, this Clinical Research Scholarship can be applied to fellowship training or research costs during the second year of a clinical research fellowship. Information regarding the application process and deadline is available on the Rho Chi Website.

2007 RHO CHI LECTURE AWARD NOMINATIONS

Nominations are being accepted for the 2007 Rho Chi Lecture Award. The purpose of the Lecture Award is “to encourage and recognize outstanding achievement by distinguished scholars from the fields of the arts, letters, or sciences who have made significant contributions to the health professions.” Nominees may be selected from any area of arts, letters or sciences (education, research, industry, government) or any other field as long as the accomplishments or achievements have significantly contributed to the advancement of the health professions. Complete information and nomination procedures can be found on the Website under Awards > Lecture Award. Deadline for receipt of nominations and supporting materials is March 1, 2006 (Yes, one year ahead of the actual award).

CHAPTER ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

Congratulations to chapters that will reach significant historical milestones. In 2006, three chapters will celebrate diamond or gold anniversaries:

Diamond (75 th) Anniversary Chapters

Rho, The University of Washington

Tau, South Dakota State University

Gold (50 th) Anniversary Chapters

Beta Nu, The University of Cincinnati

THE RHO CHI SOCIETY WEBSITE – WWW.RHOCHI.ORG

The Society’s Website serves members, officers and advisors in conducting the activities of their chapters. Plans are undwerway for revisions to the site. The look will be different as will be some of the navigation, but those familiar with the old pages will still find familiar links and a few new ones will be interesting and helpful. Please visit the Website, old or new, and provide us your feedback and suggestions. As always, contact the National Office for any additional help you may need.

NEW MEMBER FEES 2005-2006

Fees for newly elected members in 2005-2006 remain at $50.00. This one-time membership fee includes Society dues, membership certificates and jewelry. This amount was set during the 2001 Annual Meeting by the Executive Council and implemented in August of 2001.

CHAPTER OFFICERS

Please be sure to view the Society’s website at http://www.rhochi.org. There you will find useful resource information about the Society as well as upcoming meetings and deadlines, ordering information for certificates and pins for your new initiates and other items that can be utilized by your chapter. The Society’s Website is also an invaluable link between you and the other eighty chapters and their activities. Take a look at chapter reports submitted by the other chapters — there may be activities that could be adapted to your chapter needs and interests or you might organize some joint activities with other chapters in your region.

The March through May time period is an unusually busy time for you as well as other chapters and the National Office. Remember — most chapters plan their initiation ceremonies during this time period — advance planning on your part is essential. The National Office staff will be in San Francisco, March 17-21 at the Annual Meeting with your delegates so Election Reports received during that time will have to wait a week to be processed.

Please plan in advance for new member elections and submit reports in time for the National Office to process your orders (approximately three weeks prior to your planned initiation ceremony). Your initiation ceremonies are more professional and better appreciated when new members are presented their Rho Chi Key and Membership Certificate.

Should you have questions concerning new member elections and reporting, please visit the Website or contact the National Office (RhoChi@unc.edu or (919) 843-9001).

CHAPTER ADVISORS

Action Item: Names and contact information for your chapter officers for 2005-2006 are needed in the National Office. If your Chapter has not submitted contact information for your current officers, please submit this information as soon as possible. Chapter Presidents’ names will be added to the Px-Officers listserv to facilitate dissemination of information to chapters. An on-line form is available for submitting this information. On the Society’s Web page choose Chapters > Chapter Reports. After you have filled in the requested information, choose Submit and we’ll have the information in the National Office. Thank you.

2005 ANNUAL LUNCHEON AND LECTURE AWARD

Approximately 170 students, Faculty Advisors, Officers of the Society and guests attended the Annual Luncheon and Lecture Award Program in Orlando, Florida, April 3, 2005, preceding the Annual Meeting. Luncheon attendees had the privilege of hearing Dr. Charles D. Hepler’s presentation, “It Takes a System.” Dr. Hepler is Professor Emeritus at the College of Pharmacy, The University of Florida.

In addition, Robert E. Kim, J.D., General Counsel for the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education, presented the Rho Chi – Schering-Plough – AFPE First-Year Scholarship to Joshua Neumiller, Epsilon Chapter, Washington State University.

2005 ANNUAL MEETING

The 2005 Annual Meeting convened at 3:00 pm in the Peabody Orlando Hotel, with delegates representing seventy of the eighty two active chapters.

Petition to establish Rho Chi chapters at Western University of Health Sciences, Pamona, California and Lake Erie College of Osteophathic Medicine, Erie, Pennsylvania were approved. These new chapters became the 83rd and 84 th active chapters of the Society.

Delegates elected Paul W. Jungnickel as Secretary and J. Douglas Bricker of Duquesne University as Historian Regional Councilors representing the odd numbered regions elected were:

John (Jack) Reynolds, Northeastern University – Region 1

MaryAnn Kirkpatrick, Shenandoah University – Region III

Victoria F. Roche, Creighton University – Region V

Lori J. Morin, University of Montana – Region VII

The Society would like to express thanks to Regional Councilors who completed their terms of office:

Earlene Lipowski, University of Florida – Region III

Amy M. Haddad, Creighton University – Region V

Nanci L. Murphy, University of Washington – Region VII

Their guidance and dedication to the Society is invaluable and we look forward to their future contributions.

Who is your Regional Councilor? If you do not know, visit the Society’s Website to find out. At www.RhoChi.org, choose National Office > Regional Councilors. Alternatively, choose About Rho Chi > Organization.

Following the Business Session, representatives were divided into groups and each group was asked to discuss one of the following topics:

Point System for Chapters

Revocation of individual membership

Encouraging chapter project proposals

Recognition of “Member(s) of Distinction

Best Practices (each table discussed this topic

Following their very lively discussions, a representative from each group reported to the assembled representatives. Recommendations from these groups will be the subject of Executive Council discussions.

2005 ALUMNI HONOR ROLL

Fourteen outstanding alumni were named to the 2005 Alumni Honor Roll in recognition of their outstanding contributions through intellectual leadership and the pursuit of excellence that have advanced the profession of pharmacy.

Your chapter is encouraged to nominate an alumnus for the 2006 Alumni Honor Roll. Nominations will be due February 1, 2006. Further information and nomination procedures can be found on the Website www.rhochi.org.

COMMENCEMENT HONOR CORDS

As a service to chapters where campus policy allows, The Rho Chi Society has official honor cords available for commencement ceremonies. Feedback from members and advisors has been very positive regarding both the recognition and dignity added to the occasion as members wear their honor cords. The National Office will continue to make honor cords available for purchase through the National Store located on the Society’s Website.

NATIONAL STORE

Please check the Website, www.rhochi.org, to obtain a form for ordering items which are available to chapters. (i.e., Handbooks, Recognition Certificates, Stationery, etc.). If you have difficulty downloading the order form, please contact the National Office via e-mail (rhochi@unc.edu) or call (919) 843-9001.

RHO CHI TRADE GENERIC HANDBOOKS

The Rho Chi Trade Generic Handbook, published annually by members of Theta Chapter ( University of Southern California) is available through the National Office for individuals to order or for chapters to use as fundraisers. Prices to Rho Chi members are:

1 to 9 Handbooks $6.00 each

10 to 24 Handbooks $5.25 each

25 to 49 Handbooks $5.00 each

50 to 149 Handbooks $4.75 each

150 or more Handbooks $4.50 each

Please contact the National Office for ordering information or check the National Store on the Society’s Website.

CHAPTER REPORTS

Fifty-three of the 82 chapters submitted their Annual Chapter Reports by the May 15, 2005, deadline. Good job — this is an increase over last year’s submissions but the expectation is that all chapters submit their reports. If your chapter has not submitted an annual report for 2005, please send it to the National Office no later than November 1. If your chapter needs a template for the report, please contact the National Office via email at rhochi@unc.edu. It is not too late to have your report posted on your chapter’s Web page. Chapter Achievement Awards are based on the Annual Chapter Report and recognize the full scope of chapter activities as documented in the Annual Report.

Reports should be comprehensive in nature, describing the breadth of activities and accomplishments by the chapter over the preceding twelve months. The report need not be of any specific length but should include the following elements in sufficient detail to permit readers to clearly comprehend the chapter’s objectives, plans and accomplishments. Introduction – a statement identifying the rationale of chapter activities as they relate to the overall mission of the Rho Chi Society; History of Ongoing Activities – a description of ongoing activities and how they have evolved, progressed or matured during the preceding twelve months; New Activities – a description of new initiatives, programs, or activities implemented during this program year; Reflections – to what extent did the chapter’s activities add value to the member’s Rho Chi experience.

CRITICAL NATIONAL DATES FOR RHO CHI CHAPTERS, THEIR OFFICERS, MEMBERS AND ADVISORS

A Planning Calendar listing critical national dates for chapters and members alike is now available on the Society’s Website. You will find an abbreviated version of the Planning Calendar scrolling on the Society’s home page. Please use the calendar to plan your chapter activities and to fulfill your obligations at the National level. If you find it helpful, you may print a PDF version of the calendar from the Website.